Don’t Let Picky Eating Ruin the BBQ
Podcast Episode Air Date: June 23, 2025
Host: Christine Miroddi Yoder, Pediatric Feeding Therapist
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Welcome back to another episode. I’m Christine Miroddi Yoder, pediatric feeding therapist and founder of the Unlocking Mealtimes program — where we help kids move from fearful eaters to foodies, and transform the mealtime experience for the whole family.
If you’re new here and unsure what level your child is at or what kind of support would help most, head to thepickyeataters.com to take our free quiz and get customized recommendations.
Today’s episode is all about why summer barbecues can be tricky for selective eaters — and what to do about it.
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Why BBQs Can Be So Hard for Picky Eaters
Summer is full of cookouts and invitations to gather, but for families with picky eaters, these events can bring stress instead of fun.
Here’s why:
* Strong food smells like grilled meats and smoky sauces can overwhelm kids, causing them to retreat or refuse food entirely.
* Loud, unfamiliar environments can trigger sensory overload. Parties often include music, new locations, and unpredictable noise — a perfect storm for kids with sensory sensitivities.
* Lack of safe foods makes the setting feel unsafe or unmanageable. If nothing looks familiar, kids may shut down.
* Well-meaning relatives may make comments or pressure kids to eat, adding performance anxiety to the mix.
It’s not just pickiness — it’s often a combination of sensory overload, unpredictability, and fear.
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What You Can Do to Make BBQs More Manageable
1. Bring Anchor or Safe Foods
Pack familiar, accepted items like fruit, dried snacks, or sandwich halves. These “anchor foods” give your child a sense of safety and help regulate their nervous system.
Bonus tip: Bring their own plate or utensils for added predictability.
2. Match Your Strategy to Their Eating Level
In our program, we identify three primary eating levels — Fearful, Stuck, and Curious — with Foodie as the goal.
* If your child is Fearful, let them know you’ve packed safe foods and talk through what to expect at the event — from smells to where they can go if they feel overwhelmed.
* If your child is Curious, consider bringing a backup meal without mentioning it. This gives them space to explore the new food options without pressure, knowing you have something if needed.
* If they’re still highly resistant, bring a full meal and extra snacks — especially since heat can make hunger cues unpredictable.
3. Prepare for Well-Meaning Pressure
Often, the hardest part of BBQs isn’t the food — it’s the unsolicited advice.
You might hear things like:
“They’ll eat if they’re hungry enough.”
“One bite isn’t going to kill them.”
“You just have to be tougher.”
“That’s not what my parents did back in the day.”
Try this script:
“Thanks so much for your concern. We’re working with a plan that’s helping right now, and your support in keeping things pressure-free means a lot.”
Or keep it simple:
“We’re good, thanks.”
You don’t owe anyone an explanation beyond that.
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4. Help Them Participate Without Eating
If your child wants to be part of the group but can’t eat the food, find ways to include them:
* Let them pass out napkins or plates
* Encourage them to sit near others, even if they’re not eating
* Acknowledge small steps like looking at food, touching it with a fork, or staying calm nearby
Progress isn’t always visible or immediate. For a fearful child, sitting at the table without gagging may be a huge win.
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When You’re Ready to Go Deeper
If your child is still not eating or struggles with intense food fears, we can help. Our Unlocking Mealtimes transformation program walks parents step-by-step from “not eating anything” to confident, calm mealtimes — all based on your child’s current level.
We teach you to:
* Match expectations to your child’s eating level
* Recognize progress you might be missing
* Avoid doing things out of order that could slow progress
* Build foundational safety before pushing exposure
Summer is the perfect time to start. With school out, schedules are more flexible — and you have a real chance to create change before fall routines begin.
Take the quiz at thepickyeataters.com and find out your child’s level: Fearful, Stuck, or Curious. You’ll receive immediate recommendations for what to focus on next.
If you’re ready to turn things around for good, come join us inside the program.
